We're getting jealous here -- with all the absolutely gorgeous green schools popping up around the world, we're wishing we could go back to school. ArchDaily tells us that the Hawaii Preparatory Academy finished their new Energy Lab in January, which not only produces more power than it needs, but also serves to educate students on renewable energy and sustainability. It's also incredibly beautiful and set on the hills of the big island in Hawaii right outside of Waimea. Designed by Boston-based Flansburgh Architects, the Energy Lab is waiting for final confirmation of its LEED Platinum status as well as its Living Building Challenge certification.
Photo credit ©Flansburgh Architects
The living laboratory is powered by renewable energy, with solar panels on the roof and a couple small-scale wind turbines on the hill behind the school. The Energy Lab actually only uses 8% of the power it generates, while the rest is fed into the grid and goes to power the rest of the buildings at the academy, making it a zero plus facility.
Definitely jealous! +_+
The design was by the architects but credit for the conceptual design goes to Dr. Bill Wiecking, who runs the Energy Lab and the computer lab. More details about the Energy Lab are http://www.hpa.edu/energylab and http://www.hpa.edu/energylab/about . Watch the video for more about what he envisions it to be and what it teaches. “We shape our buildings and our buildings shape us.” Note also that if you are on Hawai’i you can go on a tour of the lab.